Dec 24

Written by: Paster Larry Griffin
12/24/2009 3:34 PM

Christmas Eve2009
Following God’s Path
Luke 2:1-7
1In those days(A) a decree went out from(B) Caesar Augustus that all the world should be(C) registered. 2This was the first(D) registration when[a] Quirinius(E) was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up(F) from Galilee, from the town of(G) Nazareth, to Judea, to(H) the city of David, which is called(I) Bethlehem,(J) because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6And(K) while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and(L) wrapped him in swaddling cloths and(M) laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in(N) the inn.
Dear Christian Friends,
Our theme at Trinity Lutheran this school year has been and is tonight as well, FOLLOWING GOD’S PATH. According to our old sinful nature we like to blaze our own trails and go where we want to go and do what we jolly well feel like doing, but as often as we are led by the Spirit of God, we find ourselves following God’s path and life is never quite the same.
In the Christmas story, we find various characters that went their own way and others who listened to the Spirit of God and followed His path. The angel Gabriel as well as the angels who sang to the shepherds would have a fascinating story to tell, and perhaps in heaven we will be able to hear some of those stories. All of the angels were created by God and then tested early on with millions of good angels following God’s path by staying true to their Creator and serving Him to this very day. No doubt the angels would tell us to follow God’s path and to know that we will never ever regret it and that our lives will never be quite the same and they will be for the better. On the other hand many angels rebelled against God and went their own way and are in fact doomed forever to a hell designed primarily for them and their leader Satan.
The path of Joseph and Mary took them on a 90 mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem as they were led by the Spirit of God and did as the angel told them to do. As the years went they followed God’s path to Egypt and back to Nazareth, and for Mary her path took her all the way to Calvary’s cross where a sword pierced her heart and even to the empty tomb where the hole in her heart was healed in glorious fashion. Mary listened and she pondered and she treasured and she followed as led by the Spirit of God, and her life was never ever the same and for the better when all was said and done. Mary’s story reminds us that we will be disappointed and discouraged and set back on our heels and even wounded as we are led by the Spirit to follow God’s path, but every one of our troubles in life are temporary by definition, leading us to say again and again when the storms of life swirl around us and inside of us, THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
The shepherd’s path took them a shorter distance to the little town of Bethlehem, but who knows what kind of paths they followed before or after the birth of Jesus? What we do know is on that first Christmas night, the shepherds listened to the song of the angels and they responded. They went and they saw and as they came back to watch over their same old same old sheep their lives were never the same. On their way back and hopefully for years to come, they glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen. The story of the shepherds reminds us that God so very often used ordinary people to participate in His extraordinary plan of salvation – and that should give us real peace and joy tonight and tomorrow and every day so long as we shall live here and now – for if we are honest with ourselves, we are all pretty ordinary when compared to one another. Ordinary in the sight of people, but valuable in the sight of God. Ordinary in terms of how we live out our lives but precious as a result of how Jesus lived out His life.
We may think of our children and grandchildren as pretty special and even above average, and to be sure there is truth in that idea, but what really makes our children and young people special tonight is the message they have prepared to tell us. As you listen to them tell the simple and yet life-changing Christmas story, do remember that as often as you listen to God’s Word, that Word will bless you. As often as you pay attention to the Spirit of God, He will guide you. As often as you follow God’s path, all will end well. Tonight’s path takes us to Bethlehem, and no matter where your path takes you from there, God is with you. Or to say it another way, Immanuel.

A blessed Christmas to you!

Pastor Larry J. Griffin

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